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(River Tay weekly report week ending 15th July 2023)
We are now moving into the middle of July and are in the height of the Scottish summer. The weather last week was not very summer like as there were some heavy showers as well as longer spells of rain across Perthshire courtesy of low pressure. As we moved towards the weekend temperatures rose as did the humidity and there was further heavy rain on Friday evening which led to a rising river on Saturday.
The river was quite coloured early last week which seemed to impact catches
After heavy rain last weekend, the river was running at well over five feet on the Ballathie gauge and prospects looked very promising at the start of the week. However, the river was very coloured especially below the confluence of the River Isla. The water did gradually clear but there was more rain late on Friday and this led to another lift in water over the weekend and more colour in the water.
A coloured and rising river at Cargill on Saturday after heavy overnight rain
The unsettled water impacted on catches last week and it was a case of what could have been if the river had been more settled. Despite the challenging conditions, there were some lovely summer salmon and grilse caught from the Tay system last week. The water temperature last week was 59.2 degrees Fahrenheit which is 15.1 degrees Celsius.
On the upper river it was good to see a fish caught from the Upper Farleyer Beat on Wednesday. On the River Tummel at Portnacraig Mr Duncan Lawson landed a lively grilse on the fly on Wednesday weighing four pounds. The fish was caught from the Pitlochry bank.
Back on the main river, there was a fish caught at Lower Kinnaird on Wednesday as well as a couple on Thursday including a magnificent seventeen pounder. Mr Robert Smellie had a day to remember when he caught a nice fish at Dalguise on his first day fishing the beat on Friday. The fish was caught on a copper toby.
Some sparkling Newtyle silver!.
It was good to see a fine fifteen pounder caught from the Dalmarnock Beat on Thursday. A fine brace was landed at Newtyle on Wednesday. A magnificent eighteen pounder was caught from the Murthly 1 Beat on Wednesday. There was good sport to be had at Kercock last week with three fish caught on Wednesday and another on Thursday.
Mr James Lang Jnr with a lovely fly caught salmon
Despite a rising river, there were two more fish caught at Kercock on Saturday. Successful anglers at Kercock last week included Mr David Martin and Mr James Lang Jnr.
A lovely salmon caught from the Kercock beat on Thursday
There were some nice fish caught during the first half of the week at Meikleour and Upper Islamouth including two on Wednesday. On Friday Mr Mark O’ Hagan celebrated his 80th birthday in style at Meikleour.
A stunning birthday salmon caught at Meikleour!
Mr O’Hagan landed three lovely fish including a magnificent fifteen pounder. Birthday’s don’t get much better than this!
More success for Mr O’Hagan at Meikleour!
Anglers at Cargill enjoyed some decent sport last week. There were three fish landed on Wednesday with Mr Gordon Vowels getting in on the action. Other successful anglers at Cargill last week included Mr Alan Hunter and Mr Stewart Scott.
A first salmon for Mr David Hewison caught at Pitlochrie
The Taymount Beat finished with seven fish for the week. It was an eventful day on the Pitlochrie Beat on Tuesday for Mr David Hewison who had never caught a salmon before. Mr Hewison went on to catch his first and second salmon in quick succession. A magnificent twelve pounder was quickly followed by an eight pounder. He also managed to catch a fine Sea trout. A day that Mr Hewison will remember for a long time. Well done Sir and the smile says it all! Next on the scoresheet at Pitlochrie on Tuesday was Mr Kevin Russell who landed a nice fish from Horsey. There was success at Benchil on Wednesday which was good to see. Elsewhere on the Stanley beats Sandy Datta caught a fresh grilse on Thursday evening at Luncarty.
Mr Kevin Russell lands Stanley silver!
Towards the bottom end of the river, the Waulkmill Beat produced some nice fish last week. On the River Earn it was good to see anglers enjoy some action on the Crieff Angling Association Beat.
There were also fish caught from the Tay system last week on beats who do not wish to be mentioned in this report.
Maybe a pattern to tempt a Tay salmon next week?
We are now moving towards what should be the prime summer period on the Tay system. With each tide, more fresh fish should be entering the river and hopefully, this will ensure some good sport for anglers in the days and weeks ahead.
The river is currently at a good height for many beats after the recent lift in water, so why not wet a line on the mighty River Tay? You could enjoy some good summer sport.
We would like to thank all the ghillies and beat owners on the River Tay system who have contributed to this report by providing their time and information as the weekly report would not be possible without your help and support. If you would like to share any interesting stories or pictures from your time fishing on the River Tay for this report, please free to contact us at info@salmonfishingholidaysscotland.com
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Beat catches reported (For beats wishing to be included in this report only)
(week ending 15th July)
SALMON & GRILSE:
Upper Farleyer 1, Portnacraig Pitlochry 1, Dalguise 1, Lower Kinnaird 3, Dalmarnock 1, Dunkeld 1, Newtyle 2, Murthly 1, 1, Kercock 6, Meikleour and Upper Islamouth 7, Cargill 9, Taymount 7, Upper Scone 2, Benchil 1, Pitlochrie 3, Luncarty 1, Waulkmill 2, Crieff Angling Club 3
Total: 52 Largest: Murthly 1, 18lbs
COULD THE RECENT LIFT IN WATER BE THE CATALYST FOR IMPROVED CATCHES ON THE TAY SYSTEM NEXT WEEK?
(River Tay salmon fishing prospects week commencing 17th July 2023)
It was quite unsettled weather wise for much of last week across Perthshire with low pressure influencing conditions. This translated into unsettled river levels and the water was quite coloured, especially at the beginning and end of the week. There was more rain late on Friday which led to a further lift in water on Saturday. The lift in water has been badly needed and could hopefully be the catalyst for improved catches on the Tay system next week. Over the weekend there were heavy showers across the Tay catchment area on Saturday and Sunday and some of these were thundery in nature.
Looking ahead to next week there is more unsettled weather on the way with low pressure continuing to influence our weather. Monday and Tuesday will be mainly dry apart from the odd shower. It will feel cooler than of late in the north westerly wind. From midweek onwards widespread showers will break out with the chance of some longer spells of rain possible as we head towards next weekend. Temperatures will range from the mid to high teens on most days.
Over the next few weeks, more fresh fish should enter the river and hopefully, the summer run on the Tay will go from strength to strength. This should ensure some good sport for anglers in the days and weeks ahead.
Despite the unsettled water, there were some lovely fish landed from the Tay system last week. The fish caught last week were a mixture of hard fighting fresh grilse and larger summer salmon and many of these were sea liced which was good to see.
Catches on the river were well spread last week with the decent lift in water which definitely helped. Fish were caught from Upper Farleyer down to Waulkmill on the main river. There were also fish caught on the River Tummel and River Earn. With the river currently at a good height for many beats there is a decent chance of a fish anywhere on the river next week, particularly on the middle and lower river.
With the recent lift in water there is a great chance of landing that elusive silver tourist next week, so why not wet a line? Nothing quite beats landing some Tay summer silver!
Good luck to all those anglers fishing on the River Tay next week.
Tight lines,
Samantha & Sandy Datta
Tactics for the River Tay during the summer period (June-August)
The ghillies on the River Tay are all highly experienced and have an intimate knowledge of their beats. Their advice and guidance are key to success. Please contact your ghillie for up to date advice on tactics and what tackle to bring prior to visiting the River Tay.
Fly Fishing
During the summer months water temperatures usually begin to rise on the river. The fish also start to become a bit more active. Often river levels are low but on the River Tay they are never too low that fresh fish cannot run the system. At this time of year full floating lines coupled with polyleaders of various sink rates can often work well.
As the Tay is a big river usually a powerful fourteen or fifteen-foot rod with a ten-line rating will cover almost any eventuality. In terms of lines whether that be a full Spey line or Shooting head system a floating line coupled with a selection of polyleaders of various sink rates is perfect for the job at this time of year. In higher water during the summer months a sink tip or intermediate line may be required to produce the best results.
Make sure that your fly reel has got an adequate backing capacity and a good reliable drag system. On the River Tay when that line tightens the fish could turn out to be that one of a lifetime. It is also important during the summer period to use leader material with an adequate breaking strain, as there are some big summer salmon that run the Tay. Usually a breaking strain between twelve and fifteen pounds is ideal.
During the summer months depending on the water height and temperature smaller dressed flies can work well. Small bottle tubes are also well worth ago. Don’t forget how effective flies like the Sunray Shadow can be at this time of year. These flies fished close to the surface can really do the business especially if the fish are keen on chasing a fly and in an active mood.
Spinning
A powerful spinning rod between ten and eleven foot is usually more than adequate to cover the River Tay. The rod should be able to comfortably cast lures weighing anything from eighteen to thirty grams. A good fixed spool or multiplier reel with a reliable drag system is perfect for the River Tay. The reel should be able to accommodate a large amount of either nylon or braided line with an adequate breaking strain.
In terms of lures, spoons like the Toby, Salmo Toby and Blair variety work well on the river. These can range in weight from eighteen to thirty grams. Devon Minnows can also be effective on the River Tay. During the summer months, the Floating Devon and Flying C can be particularly productive. The Flying C lure can be fished upstream especially when water temperatures start to rise and often salmon will chase the lure before taking it. The Vision110 lures have also got a good reputation for producing fish on the river. These lures can be excellent during the summer months.
Harling
Harling is a method unique to the River Tay which involves fishing from a motorised boat. This method is employed on many beats and can be highly effective.
Usually two or three rods are placed in rod holders with various lures and then the ghillie skilfully combs the water by moving back and forth in the boat, whilst gradually dropping downstream, covering the likely lies on the beat. Often during the summer months, the water is too low to harl on many beats. However, if there is a decent spate this method can be highly productive. Harling is a method which is very much water height dependent and is practiced at the beat ghillies discretion.
TDSFB Conservation Policy
All anglers fishing on the River Tay system are reminded that the TDSFB’s policy from January 15th to 1st of April is that all spring salmon must be released. This means that the TDSFB has a 100% mandatory catch & release policy of all salmon caught. This is in line with the Scottish Government Statutory Conservation Regulation. Even if the fish dies it must still be returned to the river.
It is also worthwhile remembering when releasing fish to keep them in the water for as long a period as possible and to use minimal handling. Please also give the fish plenty of time to recover before releasing them. It is important that anglers treat their quarry with the utmost of respect at all times.
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